Best Cabin Camping near Empire, CO

Recent Cabin Reviews in Empire

412 Reviews of 47 Empire Campgrounds

• 

  Paulina B.

  Ranger

  

  Dec. 15, 2024

  White River National Forest Heaton Bay Campground

  Lakeside Bliss at Heaton Bay

  Heaton Bay Campground, located near Dillon Reservoir in Colorado, offers a stunning lakeside camping experience with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. The campground is set in a picturesque location, making it a perfect spot for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy water activities, hiking, and enjoying the serenity of nature.

  The sites at Heaton Bay are spacious, well-maintained, and equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, providing a comfortable setting for both tent campers and RV travelers. There are flush toilets and potable water, but no hookups for RVs, so keep that in mind when planning your stay. The campground is nestled among tall pines, providing some shade and a peaceful atmosphere, though there are few trees at some sites, so be prepared for full exposure to the sun.

  One of the biggest highlights of Heaton Bay is its proximity to Dillon Reservoir, where you can enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing. The campground is also just a short drive from the popular town of Dillon and the many hiking opportunities in the area, including access to the nearby Swan Mountain Trail and many 14ers.

  The only downside is that during peak summer months, the campground can be busy, as it’s a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Be prepared for crowds, especially on weekends. The nights can also get chilly, so it’s essential to pack warm layers, even in the summer.

  Overall, Heaton Bay Campground offers an excellent lakeside camping experience with a perfect balance of nature, water activities, and mountain views, making it an ideal spot for a Colorado getaway.

• U

  UT801

  Ranger

  

  Oct. 17, 2024

  Denver West-Central City KOA

  Nicest KOA we've been to

  And in fact I believe they were KOA of the year 2023 or 2024. More expensive than we're used to, but has nice amenities. Sites level with concrete pads, fairly large. Some space between with trees. Nice metal patio furniture provided at each site(chairs, table, fire pit). Has decent showers, hot tubs, and off leash dog park. Inexpensive pancake breakfast and pizza/wings to your site are available, also an onsite store. Kind of at the top of a rise, so good views but also kind of chilly for July (60s/40s). Massive thunderstorms with hail and heavy rain two evengings (CO mountains tend to get afternoon t-storms). Communicate via text to let you know about goings on. Good radio station out of Idaho Springs KYGT 102.7 and 103.9

• 

  870VERLAND

  Guide

  

  Oct. 16, 2024

  Estes Park KOA

  Amazing

  Great trip. Beautiful campground. Beautiful scenery

• A

  A A Ron J.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 16, 2024

  Base Camp at Golden Gate Canyon

  Way too expensive

  I spent the night at Base Camp because the campgrounds North and South of Ned were full and it was dark and getting late. You have to be lucky with those ones to get one of the few good spots that are there. I have been to the convenience store at BC before and it was closer to Idaho Springs (I was going there the next day to meet a friend). $39 per night for a tent site is INSANE. I could have stealth camped and there was another spot I could’ve gone too but BC was close and I was tired. I guess that’s how they make their business. Begrudgingly it worked for what I needed.

• 

  Mary A.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 15, 2024

  Denver Meadows RV Park

  Would be a ZERO if possible

  just now New Don't give this owner any business. Former homeowners of the mobile home park offered 20.5 million in 2019. The greedy owner Sean L. rejected the offer because he was dealing with the former mayor and counsel to have the area rezoned so he could make more. Hundred or residents were displaced! Karma is a bitch for this greedy owner and the politicians who went along with him. SHAME. Their was a documentary documentary made about the subject of mobile home parks being bought up and raising rents at will. The film is called A Decent Home.

• 

  Shana D.

  Legend

  

  Sep. 4, 2024

  Larimer County Hermit Open Space County Park Bobcat Campground

  My favorite!

  Just stayed here as our Basecamp for our RMNP adventures. This has moved to the top of my list of favorite campsites! Some sites are smaller, but several are good size and spaces far enough apart for the perfect amount of privacy. The vault toilets were the cleanest we have ever seen! Basically no cell service unless the wind blew just right. Also, they do charge an additional $15 to use the dump station. That felt like a rip off considering what we already paid to stay here with no services, but wasn’t much we could do about it.

• L

  Lorene N.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 4, 2024

  Grand Lake / Rocky Mountain National Park KOA Journey

  Moose galore

  We had moose everywhere here. Cool paid spot. We have visited twice and love it.

• 

  Danielle H.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 23, 2024

  South Shore Campgrounds at Carter Lake

  Nice lake view

  Good spot. County was in a burn ban so no fires or charcoal grills allowed. Lake had some weird rules. You have to buy a county park pass when making reservation.

• 

  Cindy S.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 21, 2024

  Red Mountain RV Park

  This is a RV Park

  People live here full time. Bathroom is constantly busy, low water pressure and barely any privacy. No place for your dogs to do their business. The grass that is there is for tents. No place to hang outside your campsite. Not even a nice view.

• J

  Jacqueline M.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 17, 2024

  Elk Meadows Lodge & RV Resort

  Run…..

  I have been a camper at Spruce Lake (1990’s) and Elk Meadow Campground (since 2000). So over 25 years with this company. This year I had to leave 3 days early due to a medical issue that my medical team recommend I return home ASAP. So I left 3 days early. After being a camper with them for over 25 years, sometimes more than once a season, they WOULD NOT provide a credit for the next season due to needing to leave. Even though they have done away with the General Store, a bathroom is usually out of service, no ice cream bars, scant RV supplies, cable TV, and now no WiFi….continuing to cut services for campers yet increase costs…..I will NOT be returning to this campground or sister campgrounds. Though they have wonderful views, I will choose to camp at other campgrounds in the area. This is pure greed on the owners and mangers part and no concerns about returning, loyal customers. One other note about this year’s stay, we were under a Red Flag Warning and a burn ban. Durning this high fire risk weather, there was a very large fire with sparks in the pit by the playground and a camper had one at their site. I witnessed and reported to the assistant manger who was walking her dogs long before there ban and warnings were lifted. The next day I asked her if she was able to get the fires extinguished. She said no because the fires were started after the bans and warnings were lifted. And that was an outright lie as I reported before the bans and warnings ran out and the fires were going full force when I reported. So this also tells me that the assistant manager and the campground really doesn’t wish to enforce laws to preserve the area from another catastrophic wild fire in the National Park and the surrounding mountain towns and citizens. As a past resident of Colorado this really should upset local people and visitors.

• 

  Chris J.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 15, 2024

  Elk Meadows Lodge & RV Resort

  Nice but needs some ground maintenance

  We stayed for a couple of nights because everything else was booked up, the site was fine, staff were friendly and helpful, didn't use the pool/facilities as we had our travel trailer, but really the only reason not 5 star is just needs more tree's/foliage and effort into the sites themselves, it's just a bit barren around the sites.

• 

  Landon C.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 4, 2024

  Winding River Resort

  Campsite with good amenities and activities

  This is a really well run campground. They have tons and tons of activities on site and you could honestly spend your entire trip just at the campsite. They have horseback rides, ATV rentals, an animal farm, social events, pickle ball court, volleyball court, a nice general store, clean showers, bathrooms, laundry rooms, really everything you could ever want. The only downside is that it’s quite pricey, basically double what I would normally expect. But given the amount of amenities they have, it’s not surprising.

  A cool fact is that you’ll be right next to the Colorado River. This is not far from where the river begins so its journey starts around here as a fairly unassuming creek.

• 

  Anthony N.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 24, 2024

  Frazer Meadow Campground — Golden Gate Canyon

  Great Beginner Friendly Backpacking Option

  This was my first backpacking experience and I couldn't recommend it more for first timers. There is a designated pad for your tent, a bear locker and even an outhouse all nearby. My wife and I stayed at site K and it was beautiful.

• 

  Karen

  Guide

  

  Jun. 5, 2024

  Arapaho Valley Ranch

  Dump

  $90 for dry camping!!?? Rip off. And YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE THE SHOWERS. They are for glamping sites only! The only thing good was we had a nice view. It's very difficult to get into though.

• 

  Tarrah C.

  Legend

  

  May. 29, 2024

  White River National Forest Heaton Bay Campground

  Nice place

  You are right between two towns Frisco and Silverthorne. There is some traffic noise from I-70 and a trail next to camp so lots of people passing through. The sirltes are nice but there is no personal hook ups for water. The sites are small and sometimes close together.

• m

  micah

  Guide

  

  May. 27, 2024

  Spruce Lake RV Park

  Close to Mountains but Try to Monetize EVERYTHING

  Very close to the entrance of Estes, nice Mountain View’s, and Large clean bathrooms. However, Spruce Lake tries to charge for everything possible: $90 per night, 5.50 for laundry (washer ate our money 3x, they sent maintenance but someone else was in office complaining when we left). We paid $25 for a late checkout so I could finish my workday and when we checked out they stopped us and charged for a second day anyways. Unfortunately, the staff were fairly unfriendly, No fire pits, no external fires, and no privacy between sites.

  Might be good for a family with miniature golf and tiny swimming pool but not a good option if you want to hangout around camp and 2x more expensive vs any other RV resort we stayed at during our one month trip.

  I have no pictures of the campground to share because there were none worth taking.

  I’ve been camping for 30 years and this was by far the most disappointing c experience of my life between the old sites, zero privacy, and feeling like we were going to get charged $$ every time we turned around.

• D

  Dawn B.

  Traveler

  

  May. 18, 2024

  Estes Park KOA

  $96 might for wall to wall campsites

  We had a small 30 amp site. Cost $96 night. Close to noisy road, Neighbors are so close with about 10’ between trailers. Not a single tree in the entire road we were on. A complete money grab!

• 

  Tarrah C.

  Legend

  

  May. 6, 2024

  Denver West-Central City KOA

  Lovely Staff, Nice place to recouo

  I ended up here on accident but loved my stay. Every staff member was so helpful and nice. Sites are close together and it is a bit pricy for an RV ($92 per night). This was my first time at a KOA, I enjoyed having all of the services right there. They fill propane tanls, air for tires, nice hot shower, laundry and a hot tub.

• 

  Deck E.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 26, 2024

  Base Camp at Golden Gate Canyon

  Once Was

  This place used to be awesome. The new owners are greedy and can't "run" the campground. It's dirty, stuff is broke, keys for cabins are always missing, and prices are going through the roof for what it is.

• W

  William V.

  Scout

  

  Mar. 20, 2024

  Wolford Campground

  March 2024

  Only one loop was open/plowed, but that was plenty as I was the only one there for a couple nights. Nothing spectacular about this place during winter, but it appears to be a popular ice fishing spot. 30 amp power was clean. Wasn’t horrible leveling a small camper, but I can see why larger ones would have a hard time.

• 

  Kelsey C.

  Ranger

  

  Dec. 12, 2023

  Reverend's Ridge Campground — Golden Gate Canyon

  Very Comfortable - Lacked WOW

  This is a very nice, quiet and quaint camping spot! We loved the wooded areas. The flat parking pads and hook ups! There’s nothing extra special here to make it a 5 star. I’d absolutely visit again!!…. But it’s not a bucket list spot!

  The coolest thing is we did see a moose!

• 

  Ashley F.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 23, 2023

  Clear creek getaway

  Clear Creek Getaway

  Ashley here with The Dyrt. We're happy to welcome Clear Creek Getaway to The Dyrt. Check them out and leave them some love!

• J

  Jen K.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 18, 2023

  Indian Paintbrush Campground—Bear Creek Lake Park

  Great Find

  Amazing views, friendly staff & nice set up. Wish we could have stayed a little longer. But definitely helpful when passing through.

• 

  Julienne D.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 30, 2023

  Elk Meadows Lodge & RV Resort

  Horrible and a waste of money

  Well, what is there to say about Elk Meadow Lodge and RV. We booked a tent site for Fri-Sun. We are a fully contained truck with a roof top tent but we're not allowed an RV site (despite the fact we would have loved electricity and water, and were willing to pay for that luxury). We pulled in after hours to a $h1t show. Our site was unlevel (in the extreme, I pity the people in ground tents that don't have leveling blocks), had no picnic table, and had our neighbors fire pit 6 feet from the side of our truck. Since it was after hours I had to call the 'emergency number' so that my boyfriend and I would have the $50 a night luxury of cooking our dinner on a table. I also expressed concerns about the fire pit damaging our truck or roof top tent, to which I was told "well what do you want us to do, since we can't move the fire pit". Obviously not Jill, but I would like to bring it to your attention. She also offered to have us move sites, but since all the fire rings are in the parking space, I'm not quite sure what that would accomplish (excellent planning on their part!!). When Jill, and I'm assuming her husband arrived with the picnic table (all praise Jill for providing what we paid for!) They were nothing but mean, snarky and downright rude. The excuse for lack of a table was "were closing sites for winter). I'm writing this after only being at the offending RV park for 1.5 hours, but I can't wait to leave. You should save yourself the trouble by never entering in the first place. At least the views were pretty, if you like highway noise.

  Update #1: Boyfriend almost got bitten by a black widow in the bathroom while turning on the light, someome flew a drone, very low, over our tent at 8 in the morning, children were screaming like coyotes all night (seriously), and it's been a rare moment that dogs have not been barking, yapping or howling (no not the kids this time). And I just got to hear the staff gossiping about us requesting a table. Can't wait to see what tonight brings!

  P.S. I am so excited to see what their reply is to this review.

• M

  Michael

  Ranger

  

  Sep. 21, 2023

  Reverend's Ridge Campground — Golden Gate Canyon

  Choose your loop carefully

  We were going to give this a 3 star review based on our first night here in D loop. No water, sites close together and a long walk to the vault toilets, plus the site was not level. Our second night was in E loop. Sites are over 100 feet apart, level, flush heads, near free showers, and water available plus dish washing area, but no tent pads. Loops are either RV or tent. Tent loops also have sites too close for our taste, about 37 feet apart. Though if you choose carefully, a few sites are more remote. Some of the tent loops let you park adjacent to your site (loops H and I). Others you park in a common area and walk to your site. Volunteer staff very friendly. In season camp programs. Much jet noise from airliners leaving Denver. Some road noise also, but very quiet at night. Your experience will vary with your chosen loop and site. Overall nice, much more so in E loop and B loop looks similar. For tenting, I’d suggest H or I loop. Good T-Mobile.

• 

  Lila B.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 20, 2023

  Reverend's Ridge Campground — Golden Gate Canyon

  Close place to do a getaway

  I came up for a night of camping with one of my dogs. I reserved the area with electric hookup since I brought the van. The area was very organized and tidy. Campsite was large with a picnic table, fire pit, and central spot for trash and recycling. Area was quiet, but close to a road. No cell service for phone if you’re wondering.

• 

  Jen S.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 13, 2023

  Sun Outdoors Rocky Mountain

  WOW!

  Absolutely STUNNING resort. 3 hot tubs and huge pool. Live music. Spacious sites.